How do you keep your sanity during job search?

[Winterflower84]

It has been well over a year since I started applying for jobs after a career break. It is just so distressing. How do you keep being motivated?

Thanks pagan.

@Cailleach666 - can I ask (if you're willing to be a bit more specific) what sort of craft items you make, & how you sell them? I'm not looking to poach your business, BTW, so don't mention exactly what you make! I'm desperate to give up my job, it's really no good for my health. My employer (a large international company) is so inflexible regarding sickness leave, & I've been forced onto a different contract where I have to work shifts. I really don't like the job, it's not remotely interesting & there is approximately zero chance of career progression there - my face just doesn't fit (and that's without the ongoing health issues). I dread the thought of not being able to work, but also of spending the rest of my working life in a job I hate. How did you start your business, did you just jump in, was it a hobby you used to do? Do you sell online for example, via fairs, or local shops? Do you have a room or space set up for your business or do you rent a space?

Oh and congratulations to Pagan. Excellent news!

Well done Pagan. It'll be the foot up you need.

Congratulations pagan! Hope your job works out and goes well

Well done pagan! What's the job?

Well done Pagan, really happy for you! And actually, now I understand what can motivate me: success stories!

I got a rejection after an interview yesterday and now I am fully convinced that I should leave the media sector aside and try something new. Don't know where people can go after leaving journalism and PR though. Need to think carefully.

It's in HR. Very lowly! I assure you but even if I'm only licking stamps it's a foot in the door of a sector I'm lucky to get in to because it suits my personality type (ENFJ) and I have no qualifications in HR, so I am delighted.

Winterflower84, it's so weird, I had just found peace with being unemployed. I had applied for hundreds of jobs before the summer and I was just about to relaunch myself in to a job hunt. Everything goes slow over the summer so maybe an old application will get looked at finally now the summer is over. I'm not kidding, I applied for hundreds of jobs. I thought I was unemployable.

Something in the air pagan.....

Thank you Pagan for encouragement but honestly I am drained. I really think I am unemployable in my industry that is why I should consider retraining. Just need to collect my thoughts.

Maybe mumsnet is bringing us some luck?! I've got my 1st interview on Wednesday. Very excited as it's the 1st interview offer I've had since applying for at least 3 jobs each day for the past month.

Pagan, well done you. What kind of job is it? I'm currently job hunting and over 40 and getting nowhere! Not in Ireland but in England, and the last long term job I had I voluntarily left as all the women over 40 were being pushed out in various unpleasant ways by younger managers, and replaced with much younger staff. I think it depends what level you are at as to how easy it is to find work at a decent salary - I was non managerial but I have a degree - it doesnt seem to have done me much good though!

I personally suspect there is a bias against women over 40-45 especially if you are returning after a break. There aren't enough jobs to go round that pay the rent or mortgage either, especially if you are living on your own.
It's great to hear you finally found something though :)